John Marshall-Associated Press
PHOENIX (AP) โ Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal each scored 27 points and the Phoenix Suns beat the Denver Nuggets 110-100 on Wednesday night in the nightcap to the NBAโs Christmas slate of games.
The Nuggets blew out Phoenix 117-90 on Monday night in Denver, but the Suns put up much more of a fight despite playing without Devin Booker (groin) and Grayson Allen (concussion protocol).
Phoenix led by seven after three quarters and stretched it to 99-81 by the midpoint of the fourth quarter. The Suns pushed the lead to 15 and held off the Nuggets down the stretch to end a three-game losing streak.
Nikola Jokic had 25 points and 15 rebounds to lead the Nuggets. Michael Porter Jr. added 22 and Russell Westbrook had 17.
Jamal Murray had 13 points, six rebounds and six assists after missing the game Monday game with a sprained ankle.
The Suns led by nine early after making six of their first seven 3-pointers, but the teams traded shots the rest of a hot-shooting first half.